WELSHPOOL will be buzzing this weekend with a special evening of entertainment tonight, April 1, to celebrate the start of the 2011 Bulldog International Rally of North Wales.
The main event starts this Saturday, April 2, but there is the chance to meet the drivers and see their cars coming from around the world at tonight’s event alongside the Tourist Information Centre in Church Street between 6pm and 8pm.
Welshpool Town Council has organised a fairground with market stalls and a live band to make it a real festive event for the town.
The new ceremonial start will allow both rally fans and local residents to get up close and personal with the crews and cars and the organisers are hoping people will take the opportunity of seeing the rally without having to trek off to follow the route the following day.
The rally itself, the second round of the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship, is organised by the Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club and sponsored by Bulldog Security Products of Much Wenlock.
This 51st rally will start for real at the new Welshpool Livestock Sales market at Buttington Cross on Saturday morning with cars heading into the forests of north Wales.
For a preview of the Bulldog Rally see our sports report on the back page, 76.